Korean Job Discussion Forums

flicknut · Joined: 23 Nov 2006

I started an English Pen Pals program at my public elementary school. The students write me in English and I write them back. Many of my students have asked for my email address. Do you ever share your email address with students? If not, what's the nicest way to say "no"?

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

I've done it many times... not with that age level though.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

just make a new one. I have several email addresses for various purposes.

plokiju · Joined: 15 Mar 2005

I think I may have given mine out before (if I student asked) but no student has ever written to me. I agree with laogaiguk, make a new one so that your personal account isn't suddenly inundated with emails from students.

As far as inappropriateness goes, I think it really depends on what you talk about. It's no different from a journal entry except that it's coming to you a different way.

Is it really a pen pals program if you are the only pen pal? (Not that it's a bad idea) There must be some kind of list for potential pen pals, some other class somewhere in the world. Maybe that would be more interesting, especially if you are concerned about giving out your email address.

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

I gave my email address to a middle school student who was transferring to a different school. She asked me for it privately, away from the other students, and I didn't see any reason to turn her down. I haven't heard from her since then.

kimchi_pizza · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:27 am Post subject:

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

How much spam do you get with your email? It'll be the same thing. Stupid little kids talking about their Starcraft games instead of Meds or *beep* enlargements.

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

Actually, I was wondering the same thing.

When I left my last job some of my students asked for my email/phone number to stay in touch. They ranged in age from 4-12. I declined each one. If they were older, then fine.

Even at my new job I recently switched classes and some 13 year old girls were asking for my email. It didn't seem like a good idea.

I asked and received some high school teacher's numbers and emails in my day. Obviously University profs as well. But there was a rapport, not like a hogwan thing. I don't know. Is it alright? Am I being "America:sue the pants off everyone" paranoid?

Teachers do this all around me, both male and female, Korean and foreign.

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

As unfair as it may be, I think you're going to come across as a lot less creepy if you are female than if you are male.

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

But that's it, Sarah. I am a guy (hence the name). That's why I find it creepy.

My point is along those lines, though. Is it my male paranoia? Others around me seem to think its Ok. But I don't think its alright for any teacher to have a personal relationship (and that's what I consider emailing) with a student younger than about 16.

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

My email's listed on the widely available teachers' contact sheet so why wouldn't it be? The first time the sheet went out with my name on it they made a mistake with my email address, so I made up a new yahoo.ca account with the mistaken address, and now I have an account just for school business.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

I talk with a lot of my old students via MSN and email.

Some are overseas and just need reassuring that the homesickness passes or to vent their frustrations at being an outsider. Interesting how many of them feel that they now know how I felt as a foreigner in Thailand.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

I think it should be fine as long as the content in the e-mail is appropriate. I think most times the students won't even send you an e-ma or they won't know what to say.

Like people said, just make a separate e-mail address. I'm going to give mine out to my students and I'm going to tell them that they can e-mail me with questions (non personal ones) and if they need more help with a concept I'm trying to explain in class.

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

I would do it here (and have but yes, as a seperate email address from my regular correspondence) but not back home. We had a very severe policy of never, ever giving out personal contact info. to students or parents. For very important reasons. But teachers were free to use the school's public page for comments and communication with students.

I would suggest many teachers could do two things. One. Set up a message board. Easy as 1, 2, 3 and a good way to fertilize, cultivate, class discussion about many things. Students, all students, can contact you there.

Further, look into YackPack. www.yackpack.net A great tool. I looked at a lot of voice messaging stuff and this is the best, easiest to use. #Each class has its own room, with pics uploaded of each student. They leave messages to each other. You the teacher moderate and can be contacted and also give messages to everyone. Pretty cool .....

DD